Snow shovel assembly

Abstract

Disclosed is an improved snow shovel having a graphite in-laid polyethylene blade with outwardly propagating reinforced ribs providing a flex resistant blade of minimal thickness. A shaft of the shovel is constructed of a low cost steel pipe covered with a polyethylene sleeve with knurled grip surfaces. The sleeve conforms to the pipe diameter upon application of heat during manufacture. A one-piece handle is attached to the free end the shaft. For storage purposes a cutout is provided on a top edge of each shovel allowing nesting of similarly shaped shovels. A straight blade shovel and a pusher type shovel are two embodiments disclosed herein.

What I claim is: 
     
       1. A shovel device comprising: a generally rectangular blade element constructed of plastic having an upper surface and a bottom surface, upper and lower edges and first and second generally parallel lateral edges with a centrally disposed coupling projecting outwardly and bifurcating said upper surface and said bottom surface, said upper surface having at least two outboard disposed laterally spaced reinforced ribs formed concavely upward in said upper surface of said blade element extending outwardly between said upper edge and said lower edge gradually increasing in depth from a minimum depth adjacent said upper edge and said lower edge to about one inch depth; inboard disposed laterally spaced reinforced ribs formed concavely upward in said upper surface of said blade element extending outwardly between the center of said blade element to said lower edge gradually increasing in depth from a minimum depth adjacent said upper edge and said lower edge to about one inch depth; a center reinforced rib formed concavely upward in said upper surface of said blade element extending outwardly from the center of said blade element to said lower edge gradually increasing in depth from a minimum depth adjacent said lower edge to a depth of about one inch forming an aperture opening coupling joint; a stainless steel wear edge coupled to said lower edge; a shaft constructed from a steel tube having a plastic sleeve, said shaft insertable into said coupling joint of said blade element; and a handle molded from a single piece of plastic having an opening formed at one end for insertion of a free end of said shaft. 
     
     
       2. The shovel device according to claim 1 wherein said blade element is constructed of graphite impregnated plastic. 
     
     
       3. The shovel device according to claim 1 wherein said plastic sleeve is constructed of polyethylene that conforms to said steel tube upon receipt of heat. 
     
     
       4. The shovel device according to claim 3 wherein said plastic sleeve is knurled along a portion thereof. 
     
     
       5. The shovel device according to claim 1 wherein said upper edge of said blade element includes a semi-circular opening sized to receive a shaft from a like shovel device. 
     
     
       6. The shovel device according to claim 1 wherein each said reinforced rib includes a tab centrally disposed and formed integral along a bottom surface of said rib. 
     
     
       7. The shovel device according to claim 6 wherein said tab has a base formed perpendicular to each said rib and an upper portion angled toward the center of said blade element. 
     
     
       8. The shovel device according to claim 1 wherein said rectangular blade element is generally planar. 
     
     
       9. The shovel device according to claim 1 wherein said rectangular blade element is curved wherein said upper edge projects over said top surface. 
     
     
       10. A shovel device comprising: a generally rectangular blade element constructed of graphite impregnated plastic having an upper surface and a bottom surface, upper and lower edges and first and second generally parallel lateral edges with a centrally disposed coupling projecting outwardly and bifurcating said upper surface and said bottom surface, said upper surface having at least two outboard disposed laterally spaced reinforced ribs formed concavely upward in said upper surface of said blade element extending outwardly between said upper edge and said lower edge gradually increasing in depth from a minimum depth adjacent said upper edge and said lower edge to about one inch depth; inboard disposed laterally spaced reinforced ribs formed concavely upward in said upper surface of said blade element extending outwardly between the center of said blade element to said lower edge gradually increasing in depth from a minimum depth adjacent said upper edge and said lower edge to about one inch depth; a center reinforced rib formed concavely upward in said upper surface of said blade element extending outwardly from the center of said blade element to said lower edge gradually increasing in depth from a minimum depth adjacent said lower edge to a depth of about one inch forming a coupling joint; a tab centrally disposed and formed integral along a bottom surface of each said rib; a stainless steel wear blade coupled to said lower edge; a shaft constructed from a steel tube slidably insertable into a polyethylene sleeve, said shaft insertable into said coupling joint of said blade element; and a handle molded from a single piece of plastic having an opening formed at one end for insertion of a free end of said shaft. 
     
     
       11. The shovel device according to claim 10 wherein said sleeve is knurled along a portion thereof. 
     
     
       12. The shovel device according to claim 10 wherein said upper edge of said blade element includes a semi-circular opening sized to receive a shaft from a like shovel device. 
     
     
       13. The shovel device according to claim 10 wherein said rectangular blade element is generally planar. 
     
     
       14. The shovel device according to claim 10 wherein said rectangular blade element is curved wherein said upper edge projects over said top surface.